Calling all songwriters -- Tired of singing the same old songs about that little log cabin on the hill with the train running by and the still in the backyard? Well, maybe it is time you started writing your own songs. Northern California bluegrass singer/songwriter/artist Rick Jamison has a new songwriter’s blog called On Songwriting, and in addition to providing insights, tips and examples, Rick will be featuring other songwriters in future posts, sharing their thoughts, experience and wisdom on songwriting.

Fashion statement -- Last week on the CBA main page there was a link to a site that featured endless banjo jokes. Well, how about a new line of banjo t-shirts to go along with the jokes? Check them out here.

Blue Highway in Chico -- Blue Highway can and should be seen playing tonight at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and a full dinner is available for $12.50 from 6 p.m. until the beginning of the show.

Jammin’ in SF -- There is a bluegrass jam at Amnesia in SF on the third Monday of every month, and tonight is the night. The jam, which starts at 6:30 p.m., is for anyone who's just getting started pickin' or is looking for a supportive place to get better and learn more about bluegrass. If you play acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, dobro, or bass and want to play bluegrass, go on by. The jam is hosted by David Zimmerman of Homespun Rowdy. After the jam tonight at 8:30 p.m. there will be performances by Hyperbole Mountain and The Folkslayers of Yore.

Jammin’ in Signal Hill -- Each Monday night, from 6-9 p.m., there is a bluegrass jam at Curley’s Café in Signal Hill. The address is 1999 E Willow Street at Cherry Avenue. Everyone is welcome. For more info contact Jim Wieser at jimmy351@aol.com.

Beans in Moss Landing -- Every Monday night at Phil’s Fish Market in Moss Landing from 6:30-8:30 p.m. you can experience live bluegrass. Tonight see Bean Creek play.

Jammin’ in Alameda -- The place to be for bluegrass pickin’ on Monday nights is McGrath’s Pub in Alameda. Starting at 7:30 you’ll find familiar faces all around you on bass, mandolins, guitars, banjos and fiddles.

South Bay bluegrass barbeque --Larry Lynch & The Sunshine Mountain Band will be pickin’ some hot bluegrass to go along with the spicy barbeque at Sam’s Bar-B-Que in San Jose on the 22nd from 6-9 p.m. Reserve a table at (408) 297-9151.

Jammin’ in Loomis -- Every Tuesday evening from 6-9 p.m. you are invited to join the jam at the Wild Chicken Coffee House on Taylor Road in Loomis.

Carrie Hassler on tour -- Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain will be playing a series of shows up north this week. On the 22nd they will share the bill with Mossy Creek at Haley's Martial Arts Center in Chico; on the 24th they will play the Monterey Live show in Monterey; the 25th it will be the Black Oak Casino in Tuolumne; on the 26th see them play in Clovis; and on the 27th it will be at Don Quixote’s in Felton.

Jammin’ in San Diego -- On the fourth Tuesday of every month The San Diego Bluegrass Society presents a jam at the Boll Weevil Restaurant in Miramar from 6-8 p.m.

Life’s railway to heaven -- Acoustic guitarist Artie Traum, who played with his brother Happy Traum (founder of Homespun Tapes) in the 1960s as well as with countless other folk musicians back in the day, passed away on July 20th in Woodstock, New York. He was 65. Go to his site for more info.

B. Judd, Bluegrass Philosopher -- “Those who cannot remember the past will spend a lot of time looking for their cars in the parking lot.”